Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding was not only the royal event of the year, but a coming together of families, so it’s fitting that the couple paid secret tribute to Princess Diana on their big day.
- Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in April 2011 featured several heartfelt elements that linked back to Princess Diana.
- This month marks 11 years since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tied the knot in the special ceremony.
- In other royal news, Kate Middleton's clubbing outfits from her pre-royal partying days have gone viral.
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding reminded royal fans of a fairytale as they tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. And whilst it was an occasion they shared with royal fans across the world, it was also a wonderful family day.
Prince Harry acted as best man, saying something particularly sweet to his big brother as Kate walked down the aisle and her wedding dress left royal fans in awe around the world.
Despite the day's magic moments, the wedding was likely tinged with some sadness for William over the fact his his late mother, Princess Diana, couldn’t experience it.
William was just 15 when she tragically passed away and Diana never got to meet her daughter-in-law, Kate.
However, whilst Diana may not have actually been there, William and Kate’s wedding paid tribute to her with some very touching details—ensuring she was still included in their nuptials.
How Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding paid tribute to Princess Diana
Westminster Abbey is one of the grandest venues for a royal wedding, but Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding venue was also the ultimate tribute to Princess Diana. It was here that her funeral was held in 1997, where William, then aged only 15, saw his mother laid to rest.
Though Westminster Abbey was a poignant venue choice, William and Kate likely chose it to ensure Diana was included in their day.
This is also thought to be the case with the Princess of Wales’ stunning sapphire engagement ring, which was originally intended for someone else.
It’s believed that William wished to include his mother in the excitement of his engagement to Kate by proposing with her ring. Both with this and the choice of Westminster Abbey, William would perhaps have felt closer to his mother than ever.
This was echoed by Elton John, a close friend of Diana, who previously told press that he believed she would have been "very happy" about William making new memories at the Abbey.
As reported by Vanity Fair, Elton said, "I can’t imagine at that young age having to walk in the public, following your mother’s coffin. . . . And the next time we’re in the Abbey it’s to see him walking up the aisle with a beautiful woman, the love of his life.
"I think it’s the most joyous result and I’m sure Diana would be very, very happy about it."
And that’s not the only way Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding included a secret nod to Princess Diana.
Kate walked down the aisle to The Introit, a piece of music which was reportedly used at Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding back in 1981. Prince Charles himself has previously revealed that he helped to pick the music for William and Kate's wedding, though it's not known which pieces he personally chose or if this was one of them.
During the ceremony, the hymn ‘Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer’ was also sung—a hymn that was the final selection sung at Diana’s funeral.
The couple also departed their wedding in an open top 1902 State Landau carriage - just as Charles and Diana had all those years before.
Whilst Princess Diana sadly didn’t get to experience Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, it seems the couple did all they could to ensure she was included and remembered on their big day.
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